Unbreakable Machine Doll

[Kraco]

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/4088/fo9x.jpg

"During the early 20th century, along with technological advancements, scientists were able to develop sophisticated magic. The combination of science and sorcery was Makinot, circuits made from spells that were put into objects to bring them to life and even gain a personality. It was developed as a military weapon and has now spread throughout the world.

Akabane Raishin is now attending the Royal Academy to become the best in the world. Accompanied by the lovely teenage girl Yaya, who is actually Raishin’s puppet weapon, he plans on rocketing to the top of the class. However, his test scores come nearly dead last although his combat skills and determination are second to none. Raishin has to compete with the deadliest of classmates if he wants to come out as the king." -Manga-Updates


DL: Episode 1 HS (http://www.nyaa.se/?page=download&tid=480820) | FFF (http://www.nyaa.se/?page=download&tid=480926) (Both versions are humongous 600+MB.)
Links: AniDB (http://anidb.net/perl-bin/animedb.pl?show=anime&aid=9665) | ANN (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=15107) | Official (http://www.machine-doll.com/)
Genres: Action, comedy, fantasy, magic, romance






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Although the trailer captured some attention already, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect from this show. But it did certainly live up to those ambiguous expectations. The character setting seemed like the weakest thing: A Japanese guy in a historical European setting in an automatic underdog position with everybody looking down on him - because he's Asian. The underdog position was further underlined by scoring badly in the academic entrance exam. But of course he can then kick ass like few others in actual fights. However, fortunately that seemed to be the only weakness. The main character has attitude and courage but honour as well, the doll Yaya is funny in a yandere way.

Raishin was voiced by Shimono Hiro (http://anidb.net/perl-bin/animedb.pl?show=creator&creatorid=175) (Conny of Titan, Katsuragi Keima of Kaminomi) and he was kind of too fitting for the role, a bit gray, but I'm sure he'll pull the role off. Yaya was voiced by Harada Hitomi (http://anidb.net/perl-bin/animedb.pl?show=creator&creatorid=5878) (no previous roles I could refer to) and I don't really see how she could have been voiced any better. She's on the cute side, but that's how she is: Whenever they aren't fighting, she's trying to seduce Raishin and drive other girls away from him.

I'll keep watching this. I wouldn't exactly call this impressive, but production values seemed nice and the entertainment value so far promising.

[David75]

As you said, very standard setting.
The art isn't that appealing.
But at least there's good flow/rythm and feels nice.
So I might keep watching that one.

Other things:
He's so bad he can't even excel in being bad and finished 2nd last. But since he was able to kick all those students asses, my guess is that there's a flaw in the rank system. Flaw being that his true power can't be measured by that ranking system for a reason they'll tell us later.
I wonder who's the very last. I wonder if that person will have meaning in the story.
For some reason, I seemed to me like they really insisted on those details, so why not...

Regarding that vengeance and the flashback, could it be Yaya is modeled after Raishin's murdered sister? Girlfriend?

[Kraco]

He's so bad he can't even excel in being bad and finished 2nd last. But since he was able to kick all those students asses, my guess is that there's a flaw in the rank system. Flaw being that his true power can't be measured by that ranking system for a reason they'll tell us later.

Yeah, that seems like the obvious explanation: His Oriental magic and knowledge wasn't compatible with the European system. However, seeing how much is based on fighting prowess in that school, it would seem really strange a capable fighter would score so badly, no matter his origins. Maybe the exam was purely theoretic and used difficult language beyond his skills (since I assume everybody would be speaking English in a British academy, with a dose of Latin of course since it's magic and everything) and things are done differently in Japan, thus making him fail in academic subjects.


Regarding that vengeance and the flashback, could it be Yaya is modeled after Raishin's murdered sister? Girlfriend?

I was also thinking along those lines. If it's after a girlfriend, I wonder if his reluctance to accept her advances is a sign of a sound mind or not (no need to even mention that if it's after a sister)...

[Ryllharu]

Yeah...I figured this would be garbage, and it was.

Anyone watching this would be better served by deleting it and rewatching Angelic Layer.

[shinta|hikari]

Why does the art look like that? I had expected it would look similar to the manga, but the style is a little too cutesy.

[vejita613]

Why does the art look like that? I had expected it would look similar to the manga, but the style is a little too cutesy.

They're probably basing it off the light novel like the did with Hanagai. It's really not too bad. I didn't care much for the CGI, though.

[shinta|hikari]

Yeah, the CGI parts are annoying. I hate those in any show.

[Kraco]

Episode 2 - HS (http://www.nyaa.se/?page=download&tid=483041)






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Raishin's horrible score got some explanations quickly enough: He's actually a newbie (Yaya isn't his own handiwork, naturally) and he actually doesn't give a shit about the academics, though being ranked so absolutely low would still hurt his basic pride. His combat prowess isn't thus due to being an experienced mage but more due to his clan's background and martial arts, although I suppose he must have considerable potential.

I'd say things look a bit more promising with the introduction of the (shunned) flesh dolls. Rather interesting Charlotte's dragon is one.

[David75]

There's a good probability Yaya is a banned doll too. It might even be possible she's built on Nadeshiko's dead body, maybe too much of a stretch, but that could be amusing.

Regarding Magus, it might be that he is not responsible for Raishin's relative slaughter. At least, the flashbacks did not clearly state that yet. I just hope he isn't Raishin's brother, we do not need another Sasuke/Itachi pair.

[Kraco]

There's a good probability Yaya is a banned doll too. It might even be possible she's built on Nadeshiko's dead body, maybe too much of a stretch, but that could be amusing.

Yeah, the thought did visit my mind, but it does feel like a stretch. However, it would certainly explain why Yaya is so full of fleshy thoughts and desire.


Regarding Magus, it might be that he is not responsible for Raishin's relative slaughter. At least, the flashbacks did not clearly state that yet. I just hope he isn't Raishin's brother, we do not need another Sasuke/Itachi pair.

Either he's not the right man or he's a jolly good actor. However, I wouldn't yet free him from the guilt; if you want to be the best, you might need to resort to any means available. But then again, maybe he's the relative himself, having faked his own death in a mysterious attack to be able to sever his ties with an oppressive clan and escape to Europe.

[Kraco]

Episode 3 - FFF (http://www.nyaa.se/?page=download&tid=485304)
Episode 4 - FFF (http://www.nyaa.se/?page=download&tid=487719)




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While I can't really deny Ryll's blunt words completely; this is cliched and seems to be getting only more cliched, I still find this entertaining. The fights have been decent, not spectacular or anything, but passable. But above all Saya is very funny and her sudden jealous outbursts continue to surprise and amuse me greatly. I also enjoy the rather peculiar ED. The ban doll idea was good (or is good). I also felt like Felix was smart enough for a good early villain, in fact perhaps too smart, since the plot was hardly at a point where smartness could have won over brute force.